All hail Grantham’s Panto King!

DOUGLAS Gorin is Grantham’s Panto King, the man who started the tradition of Christmas pantomimes at the Guildhall 20 years ago.

The first was so successful that Grantham man Douglas put on a further 17 annual pantomimes, retiring following a run of Dick Whittington in 2009 when South Kesteven District Council decided to instead employ a theatre company.

In planning the shows, Douglas drew on his vast experience in the entertainment industry.

He has worked with the likes of comedian Freddie Starr and actor Dudley Sutton, performed on stage at the London Palladium for a six-month run of Babes in the Wood, starred alongside Les Dawson at Leeds Grand Theatre and given a reading at St Paul’s Cathedral during Cliff Richard’s Festival of Light concert.

Douglas also formed part of the famous Black and White Minstrels stage show.